Further discussion of the deleterious condition of the boroughs road system also took place in Tucker’s Streets and Lighting committee report.

A mid-summer storm outside was matched by a heated exchange indoors when Councilor Regina Plodwick read a response to comments made at the June meeting renouncing Tucker’s statement that he was informed –after the fact –that council did not have to guaranty the sewer project’s second loan. Plodwick’s statement indicated that the special meeting requiring council’s vote to back the loan was mandated by the USDA, provider of the grant funds for the project.

She pointedly called out current members of council who were absent for that vote at a critical point in the sewer project.

Tucker fiercely objected to Plodwick’s comments and said that this information was raised in a previous meeting without objection then.

Solicitor Jack Dean stepped into the angry debate advising that as counsel for the borough at that time he was fully aware that the Borough Council, as the sole taxing entity, had to back and secure the loan funds needed to complete the project. “The borough was required to guaranty the USDA loan.”

Still under public safety, Councilor Mark Gandzyk reported that he filed a police report after finding material dumped into the borough’s dry hydrant –a crucial tool for fire fighters.

Gandzyk asked Atty. Dean to research the adoption of an ordinance imposing harsh penalties on anyone disturbing the hydrants, which have faithfully served the borough since the 1930s without suffering tampering until now. He also called upon the residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around the hydrants to the police.